Many of us suffer from ingrown hair and unwanted hair growth. One of the best methods of removing unwanted or ingrown hair is laser hair removal. This method uses a laser to heat the hair follicle so much that it eventually stops growing. But some medicines are not compatible with this treatment. So, people often ask, “can I get laser hair removal while on antibiotics?”
Whether or not you can get laser hair treatment while taking antibiotics depend on the medicine you are taking. This is because some antibiotics make the skin photosensitive, which means the skin becomes easily irritated and damaged due to being exposed to light. While some other antibiotics are safe to use while getting laser hair removal.
Let’s take a look at the ins and outs of using antibiotics while getting laser hair removal.
Is it possible to get laser hair removal while taking antibiotics?
Before getting to the issue of antibiotics and laser hair removal, let’s first understand how laser hair removal works. Once the area where the unwanted or ingrown hair is found, the technician will use a laser gun to send laser light to the hair. Then the light energy will be converted into heat energy which will heat the follicle so much they will stop growing.
Now, in general, despite the amount of heat generated, the skin around the hair follicle isn’t damaged. But, some medications make the skin photosensitive. As a result, the skin is easily damaged when it is exposed to regular light or artificial light. This is where the issue regarding antibiotics arises.
Some antibiotics certainly make the skin photosensitive. Some examples of these antibiotics are Cipro, Cleocin, Bactrim, etc. Some of these medicines can start acting up even after their course is finished. So, the best course of action will be to visit a doctor before getting hair laser removal. In this way, you will know which antibiotics will make you photosensitive and which won’t.
But it doesn’t mean all antibiotics are unsuitable for getting laser hair removal. Most antibiotics don’t react to light, irrespective of whether it is natural or not. For example, one question we often face is “Can I get laser hair removal while on amoxicillin?” Well, amoxicillin is not known to be photosensitive, so yes, you can get laser hair removal while taking amoxicillin.
Can diabetics get laser hair removal?
If you are diabetic, then we wouldn’t suggest you get laser hair removal. There are a few reasons behind this. First, diabetics are more sensitive than most other people. So when their skin is exposed to the laser, they will feel significantly more pain than other people.
Second, diabetics have a slower healing process than most others. So the area that is exposed to the laser will not only hurt more, but it will also take a longer time for it to heal completely. The recommended way to remove your unwanted hair if you are a diabetic is either using hair removal creams or hair epilation. Even then, you need to consult your doctor before proceeding.
What happens if you get laser hair removal when on photosensitive medication?
Now you know you shouldn’t get laser hair removal when you are on photosensitive medications. But why? What happens if you don’t visit a doctor beforehand and proceed to get a laser hair removal while on these medications? You will face the following consequences:
- Your skin will swell
- You will feel minor discomfort
- Your skin will redden
- Blisters will appear on the skin
- The skin might even be burnt in some areas
- The skin will suffer from hyperpigmentation that makes the skin looks like it has suffered a sunburn
- Molecular changes in the skin, because the immune system of the body will attack the drug if it were a foreign object.
Final words
There are various ways of removing unwanted hair from your skin, of which laser hair removal is one of the best. But since there are some regulations regarding medications, people often wonder, “Can I get laser hair removal while on antibiotics?”. Although it is possible to get laser hair removal while you are on antibiotics, a doctor should be consulted before doing so.
FAQs
1. What happens if you laser on antibiotics?
The aftermath of getting laser hair removal while being on antibiotics will depend on the type of antibiotic and whether it causes photosensitivity of the skin. If the antibiotic isn’t a cause of photosensitivity, it won’t pose any problems. But if you get laser while being on photosensitive antibiotics, it will create various serious issues such as phototoxicity and photoallergic reactions.
2. Can laser hair removal cause bacterial infection?
Every kind of hair removal procedure causes the skin to be irritated to various degrees. Laser hair removal isn’t any exception to this, although the degree to which the skin is irritated is much less. Immediately following laser hair removal, the skin becomes very sensitive and is susceptible to being infected by bacteria.
3. What medications should you avoid before laser hair removal?
Most medications do not interfere with you getting laser hair removal. The only medicines that don’t allow laser hair treatment are the ones causing photosensitivity. Here are some examples of laser hair removal medications to avoid:
- Acne Medications such as Roaccutane
- Antihistamines such as benadryl
- Antidepressants such as Zoloft, Paxil, Adapin, Prozac, Vivactil, etc.
- A few hormone control pills
- Some anti-inflammatory pills, etc.
